Royal British Legion

This year saw the launch of the World’s first Twitter remembrance service.

Marking the momentous 11.11.11 date, several countries – including the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, are doing more than ever before to help everyone remember those brave souls who lost their lives and fought for the life and freedom we have now. As Twitter has proved an instrumental tool for the ‘Freedom of Speech’ over the past few years, it seems even more fitting to make it central to the event.

In the UK, a group organised the first ever Twitter remembrance service of its kind via @poppy_tweet, with a feed that featured readings, prayers, hymns and music (linked to YouTube). The main activity took place on the 11th, but also on the following Sunday, and largely took on a religious slant (as it was led by The Methodist Church).

As a non-religious person myself, I am wondering if that is why it had so few followers (around 1600 at the time of writing)? I totally respect everyone’s right to worship, but remembrance day is not about religion in my mind, it is about recognition, thanks and reflection. However, something which raises awareness, recognises the main social tools of today, and helps to encourage donations for charities such as The British Legion, cannot be a bad thing.

Elsewhere on Twitter, the #2minutesilence hashtag encouraged people to silence themselves on Twitter and Facebook during this time in a mark of respect, and was retweeted by thousands. In Canada they launched a @wearethedead Twitter account on the 11th which began listing all those who had lost their lives during battle and will take 13 years in total to complete, posting 1 name per hour. Really makes you think doesn’t it……